Electrical interface connector assembly

Abstract

An electrical interface connector assembly that prevents the intrusion of undesired substances and elements in the environment past the connector assembly. The connector assembly has a generally U-shaped receptacle that is incorporated in a housing that has first and second portions separable along opposed and mating parting faces. A supporting ledge extends along the receptacle, to receive a mounting flange that extends laterally outwardly from a shroud on the connector block. A seal-engaging ledge also extending along the receptacle in stepped relation relative to the supporting ledge. A sealing gasket overlies the mounting flange and the seal-engaging ledge, and a retainer plate is demountably secured to a closure face on the receptacle to compress the sealing gasket against the mounting flange and the seal-engaging ledge to preclude the admission of foreign materials between the mounting flange and the receptacle.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. An electrical interface connector assembly for a vehicle, said connector assembly comprising: a housing;   said housing having first and second portions separable along opposed and mating parting faces and a closure face;   a generally U-shaped receptacle incorporated in one of said housing portions;   said receptacle extending outwardly from said parting face on said first housing portion;   a supporting ledge extending along said generally U-shaped receptacle;   an electrical interface connector block;   a mounting flange extending outwardly of said electrical interface connector block to be received on said supporting ledge;   a seal-engaging ledge also extending along said generally U-shaped receptacle in stepped relation relative to said supporting ledge;   a sealing gasket overlying said mounting flange and said seal-engaging ledge; and,   a retainer plate demountably secured to said receptacle to compress said sealing gasket against said mounting flange and said seal-engaging ledge to preclude admission of foreign materials between said mounting flange and said receptacle.   
     
     
       2. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a first riser extending between said supporting ledge and said seal-engaging ledge;   a stepped dimension of said first riser between said supporting ledge and said seal-engaging ledge being substantially equal to a corresponding dimension of said mounting flange.   
     
     
       3. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: a juncture defined between said mounting flange and said first riser;   said sealing gasket sealing said juncture when said sealing gasket is compressed by said retainer plate.   
     
     
       4. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: a second riser extending between said seal-engaging ledge and said closure face;   a stepped dimension of said second riser between said seal-engaging ledge and said closure face being related to the thickness of said sealing gasket such that securing said retainer plate on said closure face compresses said sealing gasket against said mounting flange and said seal-engaging ledge.   
     
     
       5. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a recess in said mounting flange;   said recess being disposed in opposition to the parting face on said second housing portion;   a compression lip on said sealing gasket being received within said recess in contiguous juxtaposition to said opposed parting face on said second housing portion such that securing said retainer plate on said closure face compresses said lip between said recess and said opposed parting face on said second housing portion.   
     
     
       6. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: at least one positioning notch extending laterally of said receptacle in contiguous juxtaposition to said parting face;   a locating horn extending laterally of said mounting flange to be received in said positioning notch.   
     
     
       7. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising: a first riser extending between said supporting ledge and said seal-engaging ledge;   a stepped dimension of said first riser between said supporting ledge and said seal-engaging ledge being substantially equal to a corresponding dimension of said mounting flange;   a second riser extending between said seal-engaging ledge and said closure face;   a stepped dimension of said second riser between said seal-engaging ledge and said closure face being related to a thickness of said sealing gasket such that securing said retainer plate on said closure face compresses said sealing gasket against said mounting flange and said seal-engaging ledge.   
     
     
       8. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 7, further comprising: a recess in said mounting flange;   said recess extending linearly onto said locating horn and being disposed in opposition to the parting face on said second housing portion;   a compression lip on said sealing gasket being received within said recess in contiguous juxtaposition to said opposed parting face on said second housing portion such that securing said retainer plate on said parting face compresses said lip between said recess and said opposed parting face on said second housing portion.   
     
     
       9. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising: a shroud on said electrical interface connector block;   a central aperture penetrating said sealing gasket and adapted to surround said shroud;   a shroud-receiving opening in said retainer plate to permit said retainer plate to overlie said sealing gasket.   
     
     
       10. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said sealing gasket is made of VITON.   
     
     
       11. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 10, further comprising: an electro-magnetic interference gasket interposed between said retainer plate and said shroud.   
     
     
       12. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said shroud is metallized.   
     
     
       13. An electrical interface connector assembly, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of electrical pin connectors provided within said shroud to receive at least one connector plug attached to one or more wires;   said connector plug being positioned in the housing such that any wire attached thereto is not unduly stressed when connected to said pin connectors.